Loud whine varies with speed

deal1a · #1 03-10-2005, 05:42 AM

I have a 97 f150, 4EOD tranny, 5.4L 4X4 Off road tow package, 150,00mile

I got a noise, not there at a stop, varies with speed, sounds like a whine coming form the back, doesn't go away with OD or if put in neutral, when coming to a stop it slows. Doesn't go away when hitting brakes or when turing steering wheel.

Possible tranny, gears, drive shaft? Help

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zapster · #2 03-10-2005, 07:04 AM

sounds to me like a ring and pinion....when is the last time you had the fluid in the rear changed?...zap!

deal1a · #3 03-10-2005, 09:41 PM

I replaced the fluid make in december. I also htought it might be that too. I noticed at the end of February so I replaced it again. It gets expensive using the synthetic the tag on the pumkin calls out for. So the fluid in the rear end is prime a ok. Any other ideas?

Slickford · #4 03-11-2005, 01:15 AM

It still could be gear whine, I had a little bit of noise from the rear of my 2000 F150, and when I changed gears from 3.55 to 4.10, it was actually louder. Are you the original owner?

deal1a · #5 03-12-2005, 01:22 AM

Thanks for the reply, Yes I am the orignial owner. I noticed some wear on one of the componets in the differential last time I changed the fluid. It is a 4 inch cylindrical part in the center standing vertical, I hadn't noticed this wear the first time I changed the fluid about a four months ago, I noticed it this last month.

Slickford · #6 03-13-2005, 12:20 AM

In a nutshell...

Whirring noise only while decelerating at any or all speeds is most likely caused by bad pinion bearings or loose pinion bearing preload, and almost never by bad ring and pinion gears.

A howl or whine during acceleration over a small or large speed range is usually caused by worn ring and pinion gears or improper gear set up.

Rumbling or whirring at speeds over about 20 mph can be caused by worn carrier bearings. The noise may change while turning.

Regular clunking every few feet may indicate broken ring or pinion gears.

Banging or clunking only on corners can be caused by broken spider gears, lack of sufficient positraction lubrication, or worn positraction clutches.

Rumble while turning may indicate bad wheel bearings.

A steady vibration that increases with the vehicle’s speed can be caused by worn u-joints or an out of balance driveshaft.

Clunking only when starting to move or getting on and off the gas might be loose yokes, bad u-joints or worn transfer case or transmission parts.

I hope this helps to narrow it down some, keep us posted.

deal1a · #7 03-14-2005, 02:18 AM

Thanks for the detailed reply,

The noise is constant over acceleration and decceleration. It sound like it has gotten louder over the last week. The only changes to the rear diff has been the fluid change and its topped off with the recommended synthetic.

The question is, do I drive it till it goes, whats gonna go, or replace the gears right away?

deal1a · #8 04-11-2005, 01:48 AM

That loud whine that varied with speed,

THe damn heat shield around the cat expanded and was rubbing on the front drive shaft running from the transfercase to the front diff.

Just used some pliers and moved it away, no more sound, thanks for the replys